Sunshine Coast earmarked as one of Australia’s major growth hotspots
MERCURE Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters NOW OPERATING
With the Sunshine Coast earmarked as one of Australia’s major growth hotspots, and the region braces for the population to climb from 350,000 to 500,000 by 2031, Accor are wasting no time jostling for prime position. Accor, together with hotel owners, Stay Centro GC, announce the Best Western Plus Lake Kawana Waters has been rebranded to Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters, under a franchise agreement.
Built in 2015, Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters is located in Lake Kawana, a masterplan development by Stockland, worth an estimated $5 billion to the local economy. Set on the waterfront, the hotel offers 81 spacious suites spanning four floors, with a full restaurant and bar, two separate yet adjoining function rooms (that can be combined), and ample car parking. The hotel is just one hour from Brisbane Airport, and 20 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport.
Simon McGrath, Accor Pacific’s Chief Operating Officer, says the Mercure is a strategic and welcome addition to the network with the Sunshine Coast region on the precipice of a significant tourism boom, with major infrastructure works underway set to elevate the destination.
“The Sunshine Coast has experienced significant tourism increases into the region as of late, with a total of 3.8 million visitors spending $2.4 billion (FY 2018). Domestic visitation grew by 1.8% whilst international visitation to the region outpaced Queensland’s overall average, recording a growth rate of 8.5%.
“Such positive visitation growth figures are buoyed by significant tourism investment and major infrastructure projects which will elevate the destination, including construction of a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of Maroochydore CBD, expansion of the Sunshine Coast International Airport to bring it up to a global standard, in addition to another runway which will increase air capacity.
“The delivery of a major international submarine broadband cable mid-2020 is set to position the Sunshine Coast as a leading ‘smart city’ stimulating business even more, in addition to significant investment into the University of the Sunshine Coast as well as a major upgrade to the region’s largest shopping precinct, Sunshine Coast Plaza.
“The destination’s already strong business events market is set for even greater growth opportunities (up 5.5% FY 2018), with the recent completion of the $10 million Sunshine Coast Convention Centre, as part of the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort,” concluded McGrath.
Michael Carr, Stay Centro GC’s CEO, said, “We are delighted to partner with Accor on this new venture at such an exciting time for the destination, and look forward to welcoming both corporate and leisure guests to the Sunshine Coast with the Mercure brands internationally renowned authentic, locally inspired service.”
Guests of Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters will be able access privileges via Accor’s award-winning loyalty programme - ALL, Accor Live Limitless - a daily lifestyle companion that integrates rewards, services and experiences bringing value to everyday life inventing a completely new aspirational way to live limitless. The programme is free to join and can be used across more than 5,000 hotels, resorts and residences across 110 countries.
Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters is ideally located one hour from Brisbane Airport, 40 minutes from Noosa Heads, 20 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport and 10 minutes from Caloundra. The hotel is adjacent to both Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital and Sunshine Coast Private University Hospital, which currently offer 621 beds with plans to increase to 909 beds by 2021.
Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters joins a network of over 50 Mercure hotels across Australia and New Zealand and over 810 worldwide.
ABOUT MERCURE
With Mercure, Accor offers hotels that are all different and locally inspired.
Mercure is the only midscale hotel brand that combines the strength of an international network with a strong quality commitment and the warm experience of locally inspired hotels. Mercure hotels are managed by enthusiastic hoteliers and welcome business and leisure travellers across the world. Mercure has over 810 hotels in 64 countries. They are ideally located in city centers, by the sea or in the mountains.
ABOUT ACCOR
Accor is a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in more than 5000 hotels and residences across 110 destinations. The Group has been acquiring hospitality expertise for more than 50 years, resulting in an unrivaled portfolio of 39 hotel brands, from luxury to economy, supported by one of the most attractive loyalty programs in the world.
ALL, Accor Live Limitless is a daily lifestyle companion that integrates rewards, services and experiences bringing value to everyday life inventing a completely new aspirational way to live limitless.
Accor is deeply committed to sustainable value creation and plays an active role in giving back to planet and community via its Planet 21 – Acting Here program and the Accor Solidarity endowment fund, which gives disadvantaged groups access to employment through professional training.
Accor SA is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACRFY) in the United States. For more information visit accor.com. Or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
